She was Downton Abbey's saviour when she married Robert Crawley and rescued the estate from financial ruin, before helping to care for wounded soldiers.

But can Cora, Countess of Grantham, sing? That question will be answered when actress Elizabeth McGovern – best known for her role in the hugely popular period drama – steps onto the stage at Chatham's Central Theatre tonight.

When she is not heading the aristocratic Crawley family, McGovern spends her time as lead singer of folk/roots band Sadie and the Hotheads – and the band are touring the UK with English rockers Mike and the Mechanics until Sunday, March 16.

Fans of the actress can get a taste of her music by watching the Hotheads' new music video for Everybody's Got A Song.

In it, the 52-year-old star is seen driving a vintage car through the desert dressed in 1950s clothing and playing the guitar, surrounded by her band mates.

Video: Elizabeth McGovern is the lead singer of Sadie and the Hotheads

The American-born actress first appeared in 1980 film Ordinary People and won an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress in the film Ragtime.

In 1984, she starred in Sergio Leone's gangster epic Once Upon a Time in America and in 1989 played Mickey Rourke's girlfriend in Johnny Handsome.

She began fronting the band in 2008 and fellow Downton star Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary, has joined her on stage at past gigs.

The band's new album, Still Waiting, is available on iTunes this week.

McGovern has described the Hotheads' music as "European Americana" – bringing her own influences together with the European musicianship of her band.

For ticket details, phone 01634 338300. Look the band up at www.sadieandthehotheads.com.